In Her Own Words: Carly Phillips

It’s time to take  little stroll into the Hot Zone! New York Times best-selling author (and vocal ABC soap fan) Carly Phillips chats with Perfect Romance about her new release, Serendipity, reveals what she loves about writing contemporary romance — and opens up about getting into some monkey business.

1. Let’s hear all about Serendipity! What can readers expect?

Serendipity is the name of both a new series for Berkley and the first book, set in a fictional small town in upstate New York. At the center of the town is the landmark Harrington Mansion, the epitome of wealth and privilege.  The series, (Serendipity, Destiny — releasing January 2012 — and Karma, releasing May 2012) is about three estranged brothers brought together by a teenage sister they didn’t know they had, and family drama they haven’t yet put to rest. This series will tap deeper into emotions than my more recent books, while keeping trademark sensuality and light moments. Book one is the story of Ethan Barron, the “bad boy” oldest brother. Ethan returns home after ten years and is tempted by the girl who was too good for him in high school (but now their social status has changed).  At heart, though, it is also the story of a man who is also looking for redemption. I’m so excited about this series, and I hope readers really respond to it.

2. You’ve written so many wonderful, hilarious series. Is there one you’re particularly partial to? A specific universe you like writing in the most?

Thank you! I’d like to say I’m partial to every series as I write them, but the Hot Zone series (the Jordan sisters and their athlete heroes) are particularly special to me.  So is Kiss Me If You Can. And, in both cases, the reason is that the secondary characters and humor are drawn from real people in my family who are long gone but whom I loved deeply.  As for the Hot Zone series, I always wanted to write sports heroes, and I love those men! But I truly love writing contemporaries and, with the new Serendipity series, I have had the opportunity to dig deeper and reach places I haven’t gone before. I’m very proud of those upcoming books.

3. What do you like best about writing contemporary romances? How do you keep things fresh?

Writing contemporary is a treat. I can take reality and stretch it a bit: give readers a taste of humor, emotion and love — and hopefully have them relate to the characters on some level. In contemporaries, it’s reality — only heightened. I keep things fresh by trying to always write something/someone different and new and go somewhere I’ve never gone before, be it in character development, their past histories, or in the choices characters are forced to make.

 4. Have you ever been tempted to write in a different genre? 

I am a true believer in writers doing what they do best. I am doing what I love, and I hope that shows to the reader. I may read in other genres (paranormal, erotica, etc.), but that is my enjoyment, my reach into other worlds that gets me away from the contemporary writer I am. Right now I don’t want to write another genre. There are too many others who do it well – paranormal requires a world building that is so foreign to me, I’d rather get lost as a reader than write it and try to keep track. Historical means I’d have to research (blech!) and true suspense would mean my brain would have to work differently! So, I’m a happy contemporary romance writer and a very happy all-genre romance reader.

5. You and three other authors, Janelle Denison, Leslie Kelly and Julie Leto, share the Plotmonkeys blog. How did all this monkeying around come about?

The Plotmonkeys are four best friends who met through the Harlequin Temptation line and one very special editor, Brenda Chin. As we all wrote for the same line, we realized we all had daughters the same age, we were all the same age, and we genuinely liked each other. We came together as friends first. Then we began plotting together, first online via email and then through plotting trips. Five years ago, in Florida, we discussed turning our group into a blog and sharing it with our readers. We had one rule only – the jungle had to be a positive place. No negativity allowed. I believe in my heart that rule has sustained us and brought only the best readers into our cyber jungle. We discuss everything from television, books, electronics, to kids, dogs, mothering … you name it. A reader who comes to the jungle knows what day they’ll hear from each of us: My day is Thursday, Friday is contest/giveaway day, Saturday is a craft / discussion of writing day (and we usually have a guest author to talk to) and Sunday we post a joke /funny and the Friday winner is announced. I hope people will check out www.plotmonkeys.com and monkey around with us!

6. What does one feed a plot monkey?

Lots and lots of chocolate!

 

Serendipity will be available at online retailers and brick-and-mortar bookstores on September 6. Visit carlyphillips.com to learn more. You can also follow Carly Phillips on Twitter.